Veterans
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The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense (DoD) are investing more than $100 million in research to improve diagnosis and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“At VA, ensuring that our veterans receive quality care is our highest priority,” said Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “Investing in innovative research that will lead to treatments for PTSD and TBI is critical to providing the care our veterans have earned and deserve.”
The two groups, The Consortium to Alleviate PTSD (CAP) and the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC) will be jointly managed by VA, and by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), on behalf of the DoD.
More than 15 percent of servicemembers and veterans suffer impaired functioning as a result of PTSD. CAP will study potential indicators of the trauma, as well as prevention strategies, possible interventions, and improved treatments. Biomarker-based researched will be a key factor for CAP’s studies.
A primary goal of CENC is to establish an understanding of the aftereffects of an mTBI. Potential comorbidities also will be studied; that is, conditions associated with and worsen because of a neurotrauma.
“PTSD and mTBI are two of the most prevalent injuries suffered by our warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan, and identifying better treatments for those impacted is critical,” said Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Dr. Jonathan Woodson. “These consortia will bring together leading scientists and researchers devoted to the health and welfare of our nation’s servicemembers and veterans.”
On Aug. 31, the president signed an executive order to improve access to mental health services for veterans, servicemembers and military families.
As part of that executive order, the president directed the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education to develop a National Research Action Plan that will include strategies to improve early diagnosis and treatment effectiveness for TBI and PTSD.
He further directed the Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive mental health study with an emphasis on PTSD, TBI, and related injuries to develop better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options.
VA, which has the largest integrated health care system in the country, also has one of the largest medical research programs. This year, approximately 3,400 researchers will work on more than 2,300 projects with nearly $1.9 billion in funding.
Specific information on the consortia, including the full description of each award, eligibility, and submission deadlines, and General Application Instructions, are posted on the www.grants.gov and CDMRP Web sites (http://www.grants.gov and http://cdmrp.army.mil , respectively).
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Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. has signed into law several bipartisan bills that improve services and opportunities for veterans in California.
These news laws enhance, extend or create opportunities that make getting an education, securing meaningful employment, and accessing benefits earned through military service easier for veterans and their families.
Specifically, these new laws:
- give veterans academic credit for certain prior military academic experience (AB 2462);
- increase the number of years after leaving active duty California veterans are eligible for California college priority registration (AB 2133);
- expand the current exemption given to veterans from paying non-resident tuition at California community colleges (AB 2478);
- expedite the professional and vocational licensure process for military spouses and domestic partners of certain active-duty military members (AB 1904);
- allows accountants to have their licenses placed on military inactive status while engaged in armed forced or National Guard active duty (SB 1405);
- allow licensed drivers of military commercial vehicles to qualify for a California commercial driver's license without additional California driving tests (AB 2659);
- allow the Adjutant General to establish support programs, acquire facilities and solicit and accept donations for the benefit of military personnel and their families (SB 1413);
- provide restorative relief to a veteran defendant who acquires a criminal record due to a mental disorder stemming from military service (AB 2371);
- authorizes regulations necessary to allow financing of cooperative dwelling units (AB 1224);
- reinstate state veterans benefits that were denied solely on the basis of sexual orientation when the federal government first reinstates those benefits (AB 1505);
- allows a reduced fee sport fishing license for active military personnel who are recovering service members (SB 1287);
- allows a reduced-fee hunting license for military personnel who are recovering service members (SB 1288);
- develop policies to assist veteran inmates in pursuing veterans benefits (AB 2490);
- designates the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research to serve as the state’s liaison with the U.S. Department of Defense (AB 342);
- increases fees required to issue, renew, and personalize specialized veterans’ license plates to fund veterans’ organizations (AB 1550);
- allow Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children task force to reconvene and make recommendations (AB 2202);
- change county veteran service officer reporting requirements to ensure the programs are maximizing support to veterans (AB 2198);
- require CalVet to provide veterans with information about federal veteran pensions, federal housing vouchers, and CalFresh (SB 1198).
“These bills show our commitment to serving those who have served,” said California Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Peter J. Gravett. “And we should always honor and remember the service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served this state and nation in uniform.”
“This comprehensive package of legislation signed by Gov. Brown continues to demonstrate that California is fulfilling its obligation to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much,” said Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, California National Guard adjutant general.
For full text of the bills, visit http://leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html .
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SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Kyle J. Swartz graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Swartz is the son of John and Sheryl Swartz of Lakeport, Calif.
He is a 2011 graduate of Clear Lake High School, Lakeport.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs reported that, during the month of August, the one millionth patient has registered for Blue Button to access and download their Personal Health Record (PHR) information.
“Since President Obama announced the availability of Blue Button two years ago, VA has worked tirelessly with our sister agencies to make online access to personal health records convenient, reliable, and safe. I am very pleased with our progress,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
The Blue Button enables patients to assemble and download personal health information into a single, portable file that can be used inside a growing number of private health care electronic records – as well as those in the VA, Department of Defense, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and private sector partners.
The VA Blue Button PHR includes prescription history, the ability to review past appointments and medical history details, wellness reminders and emergency contact information.
Because it is Web-based, the information is available anywhere, any time. Its security measures are identical to those employed by retail websites that accept credit cards.
“VA believes that patients are hungry for their health information,” said Peter Levin, VA’s Chief Technology Officer. “The simplicity of Blue Button makes it easy for other public agencies and Federal Employee Health Program carriers to participate. Getting to one million registered users so quickly is a great validation for our team.”
The Blue Button will see even wider use as more non-profit organizations and health care industry partners, such as Kaiser Permanente and Aetna adopt it as an integral part of their customer health records. One of the most recent Blue Button partners is UnitedHealth Group.
“We are just thrilled to see how Blue Button has expanded so quickly, both in the richness of its content as well as the number of institutions that have pledged to make their data available,” said U.S. Chief Technology Officer Todd Park.
He went on to say that Blue Button has become the model of data liberation throughout the federal government.
“Data is the rocket fuel of job creation in the high tech sector,” Parks said. “Blue Button is just a terrific example of what people can do once we liberate their data – safely and privately – from our vaults.”
For more information on the Blue Button initiative, visit www.va.gov/bluebutton/ .
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The Department of Defense (DoD) has launched the Operation Tomodachi Registry Web site.
The Web site provides location-based radiation dose estimate reports for adults and children comprising the DoD-affiliated population on or near mainland Japan following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011.
DoD-affiliated members who were in Japan during the nuclear reactor crisis, medical providers, and the public at large will be able to download location-based radiation dose estimate reports from the Web site.
These reports include medical interpretations and provide comparisons of the Operation Tomodachi radiation doses with more commonly experienced radiation doses.
The Web site also includes information on the event, DoD’s response to the crisis, and answers to frequently asked questions.
By the end of the calendar year, individuals in the registry may request a dose assessment that is individually tailored for them, based on more detailed location data that they can provide using the “Contact Us” function on the Operation Tomodachi Registry Web site.
After extensive environmental monitoring and analysis, it has been determined that none of the nearly 70,000 members of the DoD-affiliated population (service members, DoD civilian employees and contractors, and family members of service members and civilian employees) who were on or near the mainland of Japan between March 12 and May 11, 2011, are known to have been exposed to radiation at levels associated with adverse medical conditions.
The Operation Tomodachi Registry, which will be housed in a secure database containing the names, locations, and radiation doses for all members of the DoD-affiliated population, will be completed by Dec. 31, 2012.
Personally identified information will be omitted from this Web site.
The registry can be found online at http://registry.csd.disa.mil/otr .
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff General J. Lloyd Austin, III and Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-1) and Gus Bilirakis, co-chairs of the Congressional Military Veterans Caucus on Wednesday joined forces at a meeting hosted on Capitol Hill to discuss a collaborative, public-private effort to combat traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Between 2000 and 2012 more than 244,000 service members have been diagnosed with TBI.
Outside of the military, nearly 2 million people across our country suffer a TBI each year, including NFL players and athletes of all ages in all sports.
“Too many American heroes defending our nation overseas, and too many athletes who give their heart and soul to our nation’s most popular sport are suffering from traumatic brain injuries,” said Thompson. “We need a public-private partnership that brings together the resources and best research to develop the technology and equipment needed to best prevent brain injury. Working together with leaders in Congress, the NFL and Army we can make smart investments in the kind of equipment and technology that will drastically reduce traumatic brain injury.”
“Head injuries are the signature – and oftentimes invisible – wounds of war,” said Bilirakis. “They are not a sign of weakness or a character flaw, but rather the catalyst of other more serious illnesses, including Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Through advancements in research, diagnostics and treatment, we hope to learn more about head injuries and how we can better diagnose and treat our service members and athletes both on and off the field. I would like to thank NFL Commissioner Goodell, U.S. Army General Austin, my fellow Members of the Military Veterans’ Caucus and the Brain Injury Task Force for their participation in this effort. I look forward to working with them as we work toward these common goals.”
Said Commissioner Goodell, “We appreciate the leadership of Reps. Thompson and Bilirakis and the participation of General Austin and two dozen members of Congress. Working together we can lead in raising awareness on this issue that affects players in all sports, our men and women in the armed forces, and the broader public.”
Said General Austin, “We have made great strides in recent years in our efforts to better prevent, diagnose and treat traumatic brain injuries. TBI affects a significant portion of our population, and not just within our military ranks or among professional athletes, but across society as a whole. What we do know is that with proper physical and mental rest, the vast majority of individuals who experience a TBI will fully recover. And so, our goal is to continue to educate folks and to pursue the kinds of partnerships, like the one we share with the NFL, that will lead to further advances sooner in the areas of research, science & technology and treatment methods. The outcomes will benefit our servicemen and women, athletes at all levels and the approximately 1.7 million people in the U.S. who sustain a traumatic brain injury each year.”
Thompson represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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In recognition of September as Suicide Prevention Month, the Department of Veterans Affairs is calling on individuals and communities across the country to show their support for veterans in crisis and help raise awareness of the VA mental health services veterans have earned.
The theme for the outreach campaign, “Stand by Them,” is part of a joint VA and Department of Defense (DoD) effort focused on veteran and servicemember support networks, especially their friends and family members, who may be the first to realize a veteran or servicemember is in crisis.
“History shows that the costs of war will continue to grow for a decade or more after the wars have ended,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The mental health and well-being of our brave men and women who have served the nation is the highest priority for the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
Throughout September and beyond, VA is partnering with the DoD and other agencies, while urging community-based organizations, veterans service organizations, health care providers, private companies to stand by veterans and servicemembers.
These groups can educate their networks – including veterans’ and servicemembers’ friends and family members – about recognizing suicide risk and encouraging those at risk to call the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and Press 1), chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net or text to 838255.
On Aug. 31, President Obama issued his historic Executive Order to improve mental health services for Veterans, Servicemembers and military families.
As directed in the Executive Order, VA and DoD launched the joint “Stand by Them” outreach campaign. VA is also increasing the workforce of the crisis line by 50 percent and hiring 1,600 new mental health professionals and 300 support staff.
“Knowing the signs of crisis and where to turn for support can help save a life,” said Deputy Secretary for Veterans Affairs W. Scott Gould. “Everyone can make a difference. We encourage veterans’ and servicemembers’ loved ones and members of the community to show their support for them during Suicide Prevention Month by becoming familiar with the signs of suicide risk and doing their part to let all veterans and servicemembers know that confidential support is only a call, click or text away.”
Supporters can work with local suicide prevention coordinators – located at each VA Medical Center across the country – to coordinate special outreach events that encourage the public to make a difference in the lives of veterans.
In September, these local coordinators will host seminars, organize health fairs, conduct training and information sessions, join in community events, organize events at their facilities and provide local organizations with educational and promotional material to distribute to Veterans and their loved ones.
VA also is launching a new national public service announcement “Side by Side” that focuses on the important role family and community play in supporting veterans in crisis. The video can be seen above.
VA is also encouraging people to show their support for veterans by signing an online pledge at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net to learn the signs of a crisis and spread the word about the Veterans Crisis Line among veterans and their friends and family members. Supporters can share the pledge through social media and download special Suicide Prevention Month web banners, posters and flyers.
The Veterans Crisis Line, online chat and text messaging services offer free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to veterans, their families and friends. Veterans or anyone concerned about a veteran can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net or text 838255 to receive support – even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.
Since its launch in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has answered more than 650,000 calls and made more than 23,000 life-saving rescues.
In 2009 the Veterans Crisis Line added the anonymous chat service, which has helped more than 65,000 people.
To learn more about Suicide Prevention Month or to find a VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator near you, visit www.VeteransCrisisLine.net .
For more information about VA’s mental health resources, please visit www.mentalhealth.va.gov .
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Veterans Service Office is very excited to announce that Marymount College will be opening a campus in Lake County in the near future.
In June, the county of Lake and Marymount College entered into a memorandum of understanding that set the framework for a partnership to develop a rural educational center at the historic Lucerne Hotel (“The Castle”) in Lucerne.
Marymount is a four year college and will be offering degree programs as well as certificate programs.
Marymount recognizes the significant veteran population in Lake County and wants to work with the veteran community to develop personal and career opportunities through higher education.
To assist Marymount personnel in determining the needs of the local veteran community, the Veterans Service Office encourages all veterans to go to complete their survey Click here to take survey
.
Veterans are asked to complete this veterans’ survey as soon as possible, and no later than Sept. 21. The input from local veterans is extremely valuable.
If you have questions, please contact the Veterans Service Office at 707-263-2384.
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SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Chase A. Turner graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Turner is the brother of Korie Higgs of Santa Rosa.
He is a 2007 graduate of Middletown High School in Middletown, Calif.
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